Hunter Jumper & Dressage

HUNTER JUMPER & DRESSAGE TRAINING

While these two types of riding are not usually associated with a cowboy hat, they are still as much a part of horsemanship as Gaited, Reining, or Cutting.

Most people equate dressage with warmbloods — breeds that are powerful in their hindquarters and able to do the leaps and jumps required in the advanced levels of “airs above the ground.” When Buddy takes on a young horse that will be launching itself over fences, huge logs, or a great expanse of water (i.e. hunter/jumpers, three day eventors), or manage to stay totally collected as it goes through its gaits (gaited horses), his ability to work with the dressage training scale is a valuable tool for him. Despite what people may think, this training scale is not designed to be a rigid format followed to the letter. Rather, its flexibility helps a young horse build on each level as it progresses and each level becomes interconnected. If the horse is having trouble with the ability to relax and travel in a rhythmic gait, this will be one of the levels Buddy will work on till the horse is comfortable and confident. Impulsion, or forward movement, not only helps with correct muscle and joint use, but also keeps the horse’s mind focused on the rider, even at the walk and trot, and tends to bring a sense of relaxation instead of nervous energy to the horse.

The dressage training scale is arranged in a pyramid fashion with Collection at the top and Relaxation at the bottom, which is where Buddy starts.

➢ Collection
➢ Straightness
➢ Impulsion
➢ Contact
➢ Relaxation

With this sort of foundation training for a young horse, or an older horse that has been used for a variety of things, it helps clear their minds and allows them to focus on what is in front of them as well as what is being asked of them at that moment. Buddy is available to work with both rider and horse at your dressage barn, or you may haul to his arena for a change of scene.